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Leading Ladies, Leading Men
Lot 23

A Greta Garbo Group of Clarence Sinclair Bull Artist's Proofs

4 – 14 June 2024, 12:00 PDT
Online, Los Angeles

Sold for US$832 inc. premium

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A Greta Garbo Group of Clarence Sinclair Bull Artist's Proofs

Group of 5 black-and-white photographs, matte finish, double-weight, of Greta Garbo in various closeup portraits, blind-stamped "Clarence Sinclair Bull" to lower right of photograph, with "The Kobal Collection" blind-stamped to lower right border, and "Proof" handwritten in pencil to lower left border, with "Edward Weston Collection" and accompanying information ink-stamped to verso. These photographs were printed later (likely in the 1980s or '90s) from the original 1930s MGM negatives. As Head of the MGM Stills Department, photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull captured Garbo in her many moods and took what many consider to be the most spectacular portraits of the elusive star. When discussing his nervousness during his first photo session with Garbo, Bull recalled: "For three hours I photographed her in every pose and emotion that beautiful face could mirror. At the end of the sitting, which had been without a single break, she said, 'I'll do better next time, Mr. Bull. I was quite nervous.' I patted her hand and replied, 'So will I.'" He became her favorite photographer. The photographs offered here include promotional portraits from some of Garbo's films including Inspiration and Mata Hari (both 1931).
11 x 14 in. each

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